Almost Gone: Nelson Mandela Kept Alive By Breathing Machine

The days of one of the greatest African men ever are numbered, as court documents have revealed that Nelson Mandela is a power switch away from being dead.

Mandela’s health is “perilous” and he is being kept alive by life support, according to documents filed in the court case that resulted in the remains of the former president’s three deceased children being reburied Thursday in their original graves.

“The anticipation of his impending death is based on real and substantial grounds,” the court filing said.

“He’s basically gone,” said Charlene Smith, an authorized biographer of the former anti-apartheid leader. “He’s not there. He’s not there.”

A younger person put on mechanical ventilation — life support — can be weaned off the machine and recover, but that it can be difficult or impossible for an older person. The longer a person is on ventilation the less the chance of recovery, said the chief executive of the Faculty of Consulting Physicians of South Africa.